Coast Guard City Renewal
The City of Florence received word this week that its status as a Coast Guard City has been renewed for another five years. Being a Coast Guard City means the community actively takes steps to make Coast Guard men and women, along with their families, feel welcome. To date, Congress has designated only 29 communities with the Coast Guard City label. Florence is one of three in Oregon, the other two being Newport and Astoria. Mayor Joe Henry is set to read a proclamation next Monday evening during the City Council meeting. A brief ceremony honoring Coast Guard families will also lead off next Tuesday’s National Night Out at Miller Park. That begins at 5:30.
Holiday Lights Tickets
It may be Christmas in July, but the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is looking ahead to the holiday. Information was released yesterday about the Holiday Lights at Shore Acres Park, a place will visited by the Florence community. The park is requiring that visitors purchase a 5 dollar ticket that will allow them entry into the display. The ticket will have a specific date and time of entry into the park. Tickets must be purchased in advance and there will be no onsite tickets purchases available. Tickets are available now. Tickets are still required if you hold a parking permit or hold an Oregon Pacific Coast Passport, but the fee may be waived. Lee Ricci, park manager says that spur of the moment visitors will be offered a 7 day window later in the fall. They are holding some spaces until then for those visitors.
Gas Prices
Marie Dodds with AAA Oregon says gas prices continue to drop in Oregon as drivers see another 12 cent relief after the sixth consecutive week of falling prices, though the drops still show Oregon’s average above the $5.00 mark at $5.15. AAA is reporting that there has also been a change in driving habits since the record high prices hit. Drivers are driving less, combining errands and reducing shopping or dining out. Fortunately for businesses along the coast, that statistic does not hold true with record numbers of visitors. Luckily the Florence price for a gallon of regular gas is now averaging below $4.98 a gallon with one station offering it at $4.85.
Heat Advisory Extended
The heat advisory for Mapleton has been extended into the weekend as temperatures continue to be forecast in the upper 80’s for the area. The National Weather Service is predicting high temperatures with low winds through Saturday at 9 pm. The valley is expected to be much warmer with temperatures in Eugene this weekend flirting with triple digits. Yesterday the Portland area went over the 100 degree mark and more heat is expected into the weekend with 102 degrees forecast for Saturday.